Sedgemoor

Sedgemoor's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, work life and health.

The population passed 110,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Sedgemoor increased by 8.2%, from just under 106,000 to 115,000.

The addition of just over 8,700 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Sedgemoor was home to, on average, 1.4 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Sedgemoor

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Sedgemoor increased by three years, from 41 to 44 years.

This remote area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 4,200 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 3,000.

About 13% of people in Sedgemoor are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Sedgemoor by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Sedgemoor

The percentage of Sedgemoor residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.2% to 4.1% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 7.1%, while the percentage of Sedgemoor residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 3.0% in 2001 to 3.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Sedgemoor that rented privately increased from 8.2% to 15% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The percentage that lived in social housing remained close to 12%, while the percentage of Sedgemoor households that owned their home decreased from 77% to 71%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 11% in 2001 to 17% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Sedgemoor increased by 6.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Sedgemoor, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in Sedgemoor working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 15% to 11% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.0%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.8% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 13% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in Sedgemoor decreased by 4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Sedgemoor, the South West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Sedgemoor residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 9.1% to 5.5% in the decade to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (80%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 67% in 2001. The percentage of Sedgemoor residents that described their health as fair decreased from 24% to 15%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Sedgemoor decreased by 3.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Sedgemoor, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links